Heel press



L. A. HOLMAN June 7, 1 932.

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HEEL PRES S Filed May 6, 1926 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 I'm/KL Hrew w 1 *Mo-QWOQQQ Patented June 7, 1932 LESLIE A. HOLT/IAN, OF WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS HEEL PRESS Application filed May 6,

This invention relates to heel press adapted to be used in connection with heel making machines for automatically receiving assembled heels from the heel making machine, subjecting the same to pressure and for delivering the pressed heels and although designed with particular reference to the heel making machine shown in an application filed by me in the United States Patent Office, Oc-

o tober 29, 1921, Serial No. $96,201, yet it is capable of use in connection with any heel building machine.

In the making of heels by machine, the lifts in each heel are generally held together by glue or other adhesive and it is the common practice to subject the heels to a preliminary pressure after they emerge from the machine and while the adhesive is setting to get a firm, compact bond between the various lifts of the heel, after which they are later subjected to heavy hydraulic pressure to solidify and compact the heel into a more or less homogeneous structure. The preliminary pressure has most generally been applied by hand presses or similar devices, the heels being arranged on a board which is placed in the press, but this operation is not as a rule satisfactory because the heels vary in thickness so that the thicker heels on the board sustain most of the pressure and the thinner heels are pressed only to a slight extent and in some cases not at all. p

In subjecting wedge-shaped heels to this preliminary pressure, the difficulties are further enhanced because a wedge-shaped blank must be mounted on top of each heel in order that the pressure may be directed evenly. In addition to the inetfectiveness of the pressure applied in this operation, the necessary handling of the lifts, the provision of suitable end pieces or other devices and the time consumed involves an appreciable expense which increases materially the cost of pro-' 1926. Serial No. 107,157.

set and harden and for discharging the heels at the conclusion of the pressing operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a heel press which is adapted for use in connection with any suitable form of heel making machine and is adapted for being mounted in connection with such machine so that the heels may be transferred as soon as completed from the heel making machine to the heel press.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a heel press which is adapted for pressing wedge-shaped heels as well as flat heels.

Another object of the invention is the proision of a press which is entirely automatic in its action and which after started in operation does not require any appreciable amount of attention.

Gther objects ofthe invention will be more specifically set forth and pointed out hereina ter.

In its preferred embodiment, my invention contemplates a heel press comprising a plurality of pressing units mounted on a frame which is adapted for movement to present the units in a. continuous sequence to a feeding station where the heels to be pressed are fed into the units. Each unit is adapted to hold a column of heels under a constant pressure preferably secured by restricting the outlet opening in the unit and providinglocking means at the inlet end for holding the heels within the unit. The heels are forced into the inlet end of the unit and whenever a heel is forced'in another heel is forced out at the outlet end of the unit, so that a heel travels'from the inlet end to the outlet end under a constant pressure. The pressing unit may be made in any form suitable for holding a column of heels and the means for restricting its outlet end may be of various forms adapted to offer a resistance to the passage of heels sufficient to maintain the entire column in the unit under a constant pressure.

The frame may also be of any suitable form for carrying one or more units but preferably is circular with a plurality of units in circular arrangement to permit them to be advanced to the feeding station in sequence by an intermittent rotation of the frame. The heels are forced through locking devices into the units flatwise by a plunger mechanism which forces the entire column of heels forward through the pressing unit to permit the heel being fed to pass the locking devices and to be held within the unit thereby and the forward movement of the column forces a heel out through the re stricted end.

WVhen the heel-press is'used in conjunction with a heel making machine, it is located at the delivery end of the latter and means are provided for transferring heels from the said end of the heel making machine to the feeding station of the press. The machine is designed for automatic operation entirely, the product of the heel making machine being fed into the press as fast as delivered and after the heels are pressed until the adhesive has thoroughly set and dried, they are delivered into a suitable receptacle.

My invention further contemplates the provision of means whereby wedge-shaped heels may be handled by the machine automatically and with the same facility as flat heels. A suitable magazine is provided at the feeding station for carrying a supply of wedge-shaped blocks for insertion between the breasts of adjacent heels to permit the formation of regular columns of heels anda block is fed into the unit with the heel. At the outlet end of each unit are means for separating the blocks from the heels by directing the heels in one direction for travel through a chute into a receptacle and the wedge blocks in another direction to return to the wedge block magazine.- The blocks are thus used over and over and each time that a block and a heel are forced into the inlet end of a unit a block and a heel pass out at the outlet end of the unit.

lVhen the heel press is started in operation with the units empty it is necessary to load each unit in turn to full capacity in order to develop a pressure as soon as possible. The

pressure is notattained in a unit until the be rendered inoperative to permit the frame to remain stationary at the feeding station until the unit has been filled. After one unit is filled, the frame is rotated one step to fill the next unit and so on until all the units are filled after which the machine is designed to be operatedin the usual manner, the frame being rotated one step after each feeding operation in order to present the units in sequence to the feeding station.

In the drawings illustrating one form of my invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a heel press constructed and adapted for operation in accordance with my invention and shown located at the delivery end of a heel building machine with the conveying member of said heel building machine arranged for delivering completed heel piles to said press; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the driving mechanism for the heel press and the conveyor element of the heel building machine, a ortion of the top plate of the frame being broken away to disclose the driving mechanism thereunder; Fig. 3 is a detail plan view on an enlarged scale of the indexing mechanism for rotating the heel press frame; Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in section of the index pawl looking from left to right in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional'view of the pressing units and frame on line 55 in Fig. 1 looking downward and on an enlarged scale; Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view on line 6-6 in Fig. 1 also on an enlarged scale showing the frictional means arranged at the top of the units for opposing the ejection of heel lifts from the pressing unit to develop pressure therein; Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of one form of frictional means; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the mechanism for moving lifts from the conveyor to a station for delivery into the pressing units; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a plunger mechanism for moving heels from said station into the pressing units of the press; Figs. 8 and 9 being taken from the same point of view; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the indexing mechanism and keeperpawl; Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic assembly view of the five operating cams mounted on the main shaft and their engaging elements all shown in timed position; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the means for operating the wedge-gate to permit rotation of the pressing unit frame; Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the lower portion of a pressing unit and mechanism for centering heels after they are moved from the conveyor to the station underneath the pressing unit; Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the lower portion of a wedge slide and the mechanism for moving heels from the conveyor to the station with center ing and injecting mechanism; Fig. 15 is a plan view of the centering wings; Fig. 16 is a front elevation of a pressing unit; Fig. 17 is a vertical longitudinal central cross-sectional view of a pressing unit on line 17- 17 in Fig. 16 Fig. 18 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 1818 of Fig. 13; showing the switch for inserting wedge plates between heels in inoperative position; Fig. 19 is a similar view to Fig. 18 but showing the switch in position to permit a wedge plate to drop by gravity on top of an incoming heel, both of these figures being designed to indicate the initial loading position. Fig. 19 shows the operation of the switch when the unit is being loaded for the first time; Fig. 20 is a. side elevation of the wedge-gate in open position; Fig. 21 is a front elevation of the wedge-plate storage rack; and Fig. 22

is a'perspective View of the wedge pla'tefor use in connection with wedge=shaped heels,

The frame of the machine units and a frame arranged on one side of and above said table for carrying a plurality of pressing units. The table-like structure comprises a square frame supported by four le s 31 joined together at their bottom 5 ends by braces 32 (Fig. l). A base-plate 33 is mounted on top the frame .30 over which runs the conveyor of the heel making machine for delivering assembled heels to the press and below the base-plate is mounted a sub-base plate 35 for carrying the driving and operating mechanisms, the plate 35 being attached to the brace 32 by suitable braces 36.

On the rear side of the table frame is the press-frame comprising a vertical shaft 37 carrying two circular disks 39 having hub portions 40 fitting and attached to said shaft (Fig. The latter is rotatably supported in upright position by a triangular bracket 42' fastened by bolts 43 to the base-plate 33 b and by a rear extension 44 0f the sub-base plate 35 (Fig. 8). To facilitate the rotation of the shaft 37, its lower end may be provided with ball bearings, one member 45 of the bearing being fixed to the shaft and the other member 46 in the extension 44. The two disks 39 are spaced apart on the shaft and are of a thickness sufficient to support without warping the weightof the pressing units, suitable openings 47 being provided for the 1 reception thereof. The press-frame may be adapted for any desired number of pressing units but in the form shown 1s deslgned to carry twelve vertlcal unlts in a clrcular arrangement. 45

The press-ing units Each pressing unit is designed for holding a column of heels and is preferably made up of three vertical guide members for retalnlng ithe heels in column formation,two being adapted to engage the breast of the heel and the third the rear (Fig. 5). The two front guide members 50 may be made of angle iron, right-angled in cross-section, and the rear i guide member 51 of channel iron, U-shaped in the straight outer edge of the opening 47 and the other leaf is partially cut away at each disk and projects into a slot in the disk perpendic-ular to the edge of the opening. The uncut portions of the other leaf of each guide thereby extend over the top and'bottom faces of each disk which looks the guide on the disks against vertical movement. Screws 54 (Fig. 16) may be threaded into the edges of the disks to hold the guide in engaging position with the front edge of the opening. The guides 50 are permanently fixed in place and are of sufficient width to engage each one end of the breast of the heel whatever its size may be. The U-shaped rear guide 51 fits within the squared rear portion of the openings 47 in the two disks and is supported by two rack-bars 55 (Fig. 5), each slidably mounted in a radial recess 56 cut in the under face of one of the disks, the outer ends of said bars being fastened to the center back face of the guide. Meshing with each rack bar 55 is a pinion 58 set within a circular recess also formed on the under face of the disk and the two pinions are mounted on a vertical shaft 60 passing through said disks and a circular boss 61 formed on the upper face of each disk to serve as additional bearing surface for the shaft. to the under face of each disk to hold the rack bar and pinionswithin their respective recesses. The guide 51 is adjusted toward and from the two fixed guides 50 to suit various sizes of heels by turning the shaft 60 to rotate the pinions and move the rack bars and for this purpose the upper or lower end of the shaft may be squared or provided with a pin to receive a wrench or other turning device.

For holding the column of heels in the pressing unit under constant pressure the top opening of the unit is restricted and the bottom opening of the unit is provided with suitable spring latches for holding the bottom of the column of heels. The top opening is not sufliciently restricted to prevent the top heel being pushed out by the pressure exerted in the process of inserting an additional heel in the bottom opening of the unit and thereby raising the entire column of heels a distance equal to the thickness of one heel. One form of means for restrict ing the top opening is shown in Fig. 6 comprising two knife edges so adjusted as to bear against the two opposite sides of the topmost heels. Preferably, these knife edges are sufficiently long to engage two or more heelsand are so'adjusted that the edges penetrate the heels to a slight extent thereby requiring a considerable pressure to force the topmost heel upwardly and out of the unit. lVhen the units are closely arranged, a single plate 65 (Figs. 6 and 7) intermediate each two adjacent units may be used in place of two plates and may be provided with a knife edge 66 on each side. The plate 65 may be fastened by a screw 69 to a block 70 which in turn is held in place by being fastened to two double right-angled brackets 71 by screws 72, the outer ends of said brackets being fastened by screws 7 3 to the upper ends of the guide members 50.

A circular cover plate 59 is fastened For supporting the column of heels in the pressing unit three latches are provided forengaging the bottom surface of the lowermost heel, two being arranged in the breast of the heel-and one-at the rear. The rear latch (Fig. 17 is secured by rivets 81 to the lower end of the spring member 82 fastened to the channelled guide member 51, the latch being normally held in an inward position by the spring with its nose in position to engage the rear portion of the lowermost heel and to support it, the end of the latch 84 being turned outwardly through an open ing 85 in the guide member51 to serve as a finger piece for retracting the latch when desired. The two front latches 86 are each pivot-ed at 87 and have a triangular nose portion 88 for supporting the front portion of the lowermost heel. The latch is held in operative position by a spring 90.

' -i. it has passed by the nose portions when they are all thrown into operative positions by their respective springs. The operation of pressing the heel up into the bottom of the pressing unit causes the column of heels to be moved upwardly and the topmost heel to be forcedout past the knife edges and freed therefrom.

An upwardly extending spring 92 (Fig. 17) is secured to the upper portion of the guide member51 on its inner face-for bearing against the rear curved ends of the heels to hold them in a forward position with their breasts against the guides 50 at the discharge end of the unit. This is necessary when wedge-shaped heels are being pressedas will be explained hereinafter.

Extending upwardly from the top of the unit is a discharge runway through which the heels released from the pressing unlt Itravel before being discharged into a suitable pipe or other conduit (not shown) located above the feeding station. The pressing unit should be equipped to take care of wedge-shaped heels and it is necessary to discharge the wedge-blocks at the top of the ;the guides 50 and 51. A flat guide member 100 (Figs416 and 17) is secured by screws 101 to the outer face of the U-shaped guide 51and is bent outwardly to direct the heels upwardly and-outwardly for discharge. The

I two front guide members'103 areright-anthe front flanges by screws 109 and the'top' edge 110 of the plate is bent outwardly approximately parallel with the top edge of the back guide member 100 for discharging the pressed heels into the conduit.

Frame rotating means For rotating the pressing unit frame between feedmg operations a space equal to the distance from center to center between adjacent units so that the pressing units may be brought up to the feeding station-in a continuous sequence any suitable means may be provided'and one such is shown comprising the following (Figs. 2 and 10). A ratchet-disk 120 is mounted upon the frame-shaft 37 between the base plate and the sub-base plate and is provided with a hub portion secured to said shaft by a set-nut 122. The periphery of the ratchet-disk has cut therein notches 124 having side walls converging slightly inwardly corresponding in number to the number of pressing units on the frame and being equally spaced apart. Above the ratchet-disk is loosely mounted an arm 126,

the pivoted end of which is in the form of a collar 127 to enclose the shaft 37 and the free end of which is connected by a rod 128 to the upper end of an arm 130 pivotally mountedat its lower end on a lug 132 on the sub-base plate. A roll 133 carried by the arm 130 is held in engagement with the periphery of a cam 134 by a spring 135 under tension connected at one end to a pin 136 in the arm and at the other end to an eye 138 on the sub-base plate. The connecting rod 128 is threaded at its ends into universal joints 140 by means of which it is connected to the two arms 126 and 130 in such a manner as to-transmit motion from the arm 130 to the arm 126 which move in planes perpendicular to each other. Adjustment in the relation of the two arms to each other may also be made by rotating the rod so that it acts as a turnbuckle between the two universaljoints 140. The cam 134 is fixed upon the main shaft 142 of the machine rotatably supported in upright brackets or standards 144 secured by bolts 145 to the sub-base plate 35 (Figs. 1 and 2).

Pivotally mounted upon the arm 126 on a pin 151 near its end is an index pawl 150 having a. laterally turned nose adapted for engaging the notches 124 in the ratchet-disk 120 and normally held inan inward. lockingpositionyby a spring 152 under/tension"- fastened between an eye 153 on the arm 126 and to a pin 154 on the pawl. The rotation of the main shaft and cam pivotally oscillates the two arms 130 and 126 and on the forward movement of the arm 126, it, through the instrumentality of the pawl, rotates the ratchet-disk and frame one step. On the backward stroke the inner edge of the nose of the pawl being oblique the pawl slips out of the notch and is retracted with the arm to the next succeeding notch into which its nose is forced when reached by the spring 152.

In order to lock the frame in exact position in relation to the feeding mechanism, a reeper-pawl 160 is pivotally mounted on a pin 161 set in the top of a standard 162 on the sub-base plate. The nose of this pawl is shaped to fit exactly the notches 124 on the ratchet-disk and is held in full inward position in the notch by a spring 164 under tension connected to pins 165 in the collar 127 and pawl 160. The sides of the nose of the pawl and of the notches being oblique, the action of the spring 164 tends to force the nose into the full depth of the notch and thereby centers the frame exactly in feeding position. For withdrawing the nose of the pawl from the notch to permit the ratchetdisk to be fed forward, the rear end of the pawl is extended into position to be engaged by a cam 168 on the main shaft 142, which cam is so shaped that it throws the nose of the keepenpawl out of the notch engaged by it at the proper time and allows the pawl to return to normal position during the feeding movement of the ratchet-disk to engage the next succeeding notch.

When the machine is started in operation if the pressing units are empty it is preferable that each pressing unit should be completely filled with heels before feeding into the next unit. This is necessary in order to develop pressure in the unit as soon as possible since the heels are loosely held therein until the column is built up to the top where the pressure is developed by the restrictive action of the knife-edges. In the ordinary operation of the machine the index-pawl rotates the frame after each feeding operation and to hold the frame in one position during a succession of feeding movements, I provide means whereby the index pawl may be rendered inoperative when desired.

In Figures 3 and 4 is shown one form of means for attaining this end. A pin 170 is threaded into the pivoted end of the pawl 150 and is cut away on one side to receive on a pin 172 a latch 173 which normally hangs on the pin 170 in the position shown by broken line in Fig. A pin 175 is threaded into the arm 126 in position to be engaged by and locked in the latch when the latter is turned laterally upwardly as shown by full lines in Fig. 4, the pin 17 5 being slightly recessed to receive and hold the latch in place. In Fig. 3 the pawl is shown locked in an inoperative position with its nose out of engagement with the ratchet-disk so that movements of the arm 126 have no effect upon the ratchetdisk and the pressing unit frame remains stationary so long as the pawl remains in that condition.

Feeding means As my machine is primarily designed to be used in connection with a heel making machine in order to press the heels immediately upon the conclusion of the assembling of the lifts into heel form and while the adhesive is still fresh, the feeding means includes means for removing the heels from the assembling element of the heel making machine to the feeding station and means at the feeding station for feeding the heels upwardly into the bottoms of the pressing units.

In combining the two machines, the conveyor of the heel making machine is extended to run over the top of the base-plate 33 of the table frame of the heel-press, suitable means being provided for guiding it there across. The conveyor as shown comprises two endless parallel sprocket chains 180 running over a pair of sprocket-wheels 182 at each end thereof and a series of heel supporting plates 184 fastened thereto (Figs. 1 and 14). Each heel plate is secured by welding or otherwise to an under-plate 186 having downturned sides 187 riveted to the links of the sprocket-chains by the pivotal rivets 188. For guiding the conveyor on the base plate, a U-shaped guiding member 190 having its sides turned upwardly to fit into the double links of the sprocket-chains is secured to the top face of the base-plate. The assembled heels 192 (Fig. 1) are carried by the conveyor across the top of the table frame to a point from which they are transferred to the feeding station.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the heels from the conveyor to the feeding station and one such means is shown comprising a member adapted for lateral reciprocation in relation to the conveyor for pushing the heels therefrom. This member is in the form of a rack-bar 200 (Figs. 2, 8 and 14) mounted for horizontal reciprocation in an upright standard 202 provided with ears 203 for fastening it to the top face of the base-plate by bolts 204. On its forward end the rack-bar has a head 206 with a vertical face for engaging a heel on the conveyor and pushing it off the conveyor laterally and to the means for feeding the heel upwardly into a pressing unit. A trough guide 208 fastened to the standard 202 by bolts 210 (Figs. 2 and 14) extends outwardly to receive and support the other end of the rack-bar on its rearward movement. The trough 208 may be provided with a cover 209.

For reciprocating the rack-bar a pinion 212 (Fig. 8) is fixed to-the top end of a short vertical shaft 21& rotatably mounted in the standard 202 and extending through the baseplate and having asmaller pinion 216 keyed to its lower end meshing with agear 218 having a hub 220 to receive a. pin 221 set in the lower face of the base-plate. A lug 222 on the gear adjacent its periphery receives a headed pin 223 for connecting one end of a universal connecting rod 22-& to the gear and the other end of said rod is pivotally connected to the upper end of an arm 226 which is in turn pivotally connected at its lower end to a. lug 227 on the sub-base plate. Near its upper end the arm carries a roll 228 for enmain shaft and cam oscillates the arm to turn the gear and through the pinions to reciprocate the rack-bar thereby pushing a heel from the conveyor to the feeding member on each revolution of the main shaft. A cover 233 conceals the top pinion 212.

For preventingheels on the conveyor being carried beyond the head of the raclebar, a stop-plate 2&0 is arranged transversely the conveyor to block the movement of the heels and to hold them in position to be engaged by the pushing member. Generally, however, the machine is so timed that the heels are moved off the conveyor before they actually reach and engage the stop-plate so that it usually serves only for emergencies and to insure actual stoppagewhen necessary. For removing the stop-plate, if desired, it is mounted on a. pin 2&2 set transversely in and headed over the end of an arm: 2&& which is pivotally mounted at its other end on a screw pin 2&5 threaded into the standard 202 (Figs. 2 and 1&) and a stop-screw 2&6 also threaded into the standard 202 limits the downward movement of the arm 2&& and holds the stopplate slightly above the top surface of the conveyor. The arm may be recessed to fit the stop-screw 2&6 and a washer 2&7 may be utilized for holding the arm and stop-plate exactly vertical. By means of this construction the stop-plate may be moved out of an operative position by turning the arm 2&& around its pivot point and over to the outer side of the standard 202.

Forming a bridge between the conveyor and the feeding plunger is a space-block 250 provided with a top-plate 252 which is preferably of brass since the adhesive binding the heel lifts together is less likely to adhere to the surface of brass, and thereby interfere with the feeding operations. The spaceblock is fastened in place on the top of the base-plate is fastened-in place on the top of the base-plate and is of such height that the top surface of the brass top-plate is just a shade lower than the top surface of the heelplates 18& of the conveyor. In plan the space-block is U-shaped to permit the feeding plunger to move in the space between the arms.

For centering the heels as they are moved onto the feeding plunger, any suitable means may be provided and one such is shown in Figures 13, 1& and 15. Two side-plates 254; are secured on edge on the two arms of the space-plate and on the top of each side-plate is fastened an arrowplate 256 extending toward the conveyor, which two plates form. a foundation for the wedge-block magazine to be described hereinafter.

Two centering wings 260 each having a recessed block 262 secured adjacent one end thereof are loosely mounted on their longi tudinal edges on the space-block 250 on vertical pins 26& loosely mounted in the plates 256 and base plate 33. The upper ends of the pins are turned over to engage the top faces of the plates 256. The wings are loosely mounted on the pins 26& which lie in the recesses in the blocks 262 (Fig. 15) so that they turn freely thereon. For regulating the space between the forward ends of the Wings adjusting screws 266 are threaded one through each of the two side plates 25& and adapted to bear against the rear faceof one of the wings adjacent its free end. The screws constitute stops to limit the opening movement of the two wings. A butterfly nut 268is threaded on each screw for adjusting it in relation to its respective wing. In making this adjustment a space slightly less than the width of the heel is left between the ends of the two wings so that as a heel is pushed through between them with its curved rear portion forward, the wings tend to center the heel and to place it in correct position for feeding into a pressing unit.

For feeding heels into the pressing units, a. vertical plunge-r shaft 270 (Fig. 9) is mounted in the base-plate 33 and sub-base plate 35 for longitudinal reciprocation and is provided wit-h a head 272 for receiving and holding heels. In plan the head is approximately square and on its forward portion has two upright back-strops 27& against which therear portion of the heel abuts when in position. to be fed. Normaly the top face of the head is on a level with the top face of the brass plate 252 so that the two form a level floor, the head of the plunger lying within and between the arms of the U-shaped space-block and brass-plate.

For reciprocating the plunger shaft a sleeved rack 276 is secured to the lower portion of the shaft above the sub-base plate by a set screw 277 which rack meshes with a gear 278 rotatably mountedon an upright standard 280 secured to the sub-base plate. The gear is keyed to a short shaft 282 rotatably mounted in an elongated bearing 283 formed on the head of the standard and to the other end of said shaft is fixed a crank arm 284 carrying a roll 286 engaging the periphery of a cam 288 mounted on the main shaft of the machine. A helical spring 290.

mounted on the plunger shaft 270 between the sleeved rack 276 and the base plate 33 and under compression holds theplunger shaft downwardly. By manipulation of the set screw 277 the plunger shaft may be vertically adjusted in the sleeved rack 276 for securing an absolute register of the top face of the head with the top face of the brass plate on the space-block when the plunger shaft is in a normal downward position with the lower end of the sleeved rack engaging the topface of the sub-base plate.

The foregoing construction comprises all the parts of the heel press necessary for the pressing of ordinary flat heels in which the top and bottom faces are parallel. In the pressing of wedge shaped heels in which the top and bottom faces of the heels are oblique to each other and in which the heels are thinner at their breast ends, additional means is required for securing a column formation within the pressing units and this result is attained by the use of wedge blocks interposed between the breast portions of adjacent heels. Since the machine is designed for automatic operation, the use of wedge blocks requires the provision of means for inserting a wedge block in position on every feeding movementand for the separation of the wedge blocks from the heels after they pass out of the pressing unit. One form of means for accomplishing this result is illustrated in the drawings comprising a. fixed wedge block magazine located at the feeding station in position to deliver a wedge block to the feeding mechanism whenever aheel is inserted in a pressing unit and means whereby the wedge blocks on immcrging from the top of the pressingunit are directed by suitable guides into the top of the wedge block magazine. In consequence, when the machine is arranged for pressing wedge-shaped heels every time a wedge block and heel is inserted in the bottom of a pressing unit a wedge block and heel are forced out at the top of the unit, the heel going in one direction and the wedge block being diverged inan other direction into the wedge block magazine. In View of the facts that the wedge block magazine is fixed and the frame carrying the pressing units is rotatable it is necessary to break and make the wedge block guiding connection between the magazine and the pressing unit at the feeding station just before and after each feeding movement of the frame respectively. For this purpose a gate is provided for bridging the interval between the wedge block magazine and that pressing unit which happens to be at the feeding station. the gate being automatically operated to bridge the gap upon the conclusion of each feeding movement of the frame and to break the gap just before the frame is rotated the next step.

The wedge block may be made in any suitable form but as shown in perspective in Fig. 22 comprises a block 300 of elongated rectangular form having its central portion wedge-shaped in transverse-section and its two ends 302 of equal thickness transversely with parallel top and bottom faces, or in other words, having squared ends. Each end of the block is provided with a cut-out portion or recess 304 adapted to re ceive guides or rails by means of which the wedge blocks are directed and caused to travel from the pressing unit to the magausing angle iron with a strip secured to one 7 edge to form a guide U-s'haped in cross section. The rails are set on end on the plates 256 and are each held in an upright position by a suitable angular support 310 (Figs. 13 and 14) fastened by bolts 312 to the ends of the plates 256 adjacent the conveyor and by screws 31% to therails.

As the column of heels travels upwardly in the pressing unit, the wedge-blocks between wedge-shaped heels 319 are naturally held in engagement with the guide members 50 (Fig. 17) because the bottom face of each heel lies in a horizontal plane and the top face is inclined downwardly toward the breast so that there is a tendency as the column is disturbed more or less on each feeding operation for the wedge-block to slide or to be pressed by the heels above it down the inclined top face of the heel against the two guide members 50.

On the top, end of the wedge-block magazinc is mounted a gate capable of a limited pivotal movement into and out of engagement with wedge-block guiding means carried by each of the pressing units. The gate comprises two short lengths 320, U-shaped in cross-section, each length being provided with an ear 323 which is connected by a pin 324: to a similar ear 325 on the upper end of each of the members 308. The two short lengths making up the gate are connected together by a cross-piece 326 corresponding to a similar cross piece 328 connecting the up per ends of the magazine sides 308. At its upper end the member 320 is provided with a laterally extending rail 330. The gate when in operative position as shown in Fig. 17 is in engagement with a curved rail 332 which is secured (Fig. 6) by the screws 72 to the block 7 0 between the members 105 and the inner ends of the angle bracket 71, its lower end extending downwardly into the pressing unit in position to engage'the'end recesses 1n the wedge-blocks as they move upwardly in the unit. The upward move-v ment of the column of heels carries the wedgeblocks upwardly until they are locked on the rails when they are forced over the curved portion of the rails; then slide downwardly by gravity into engagement with springs 333 arranged one on the under face of each rail 332. These springs hold the wedge-blocks clustered in the ends of the rails 332 until a sufficient number have gathered there for the the spring.

its upperend by means of .an-adjusting nut 36 i and a butterfly set nut 365. .A spring 366 connected to the upright member 348 and'to pressure created by the upward movement of i the heel column on each feeding of a heel into the bottom of the unit to be transmitted therethrough when a wedge-block is .forced off the end of the rails on each feedingmovement and slides down into the magazine edgewise.

For operating the gate at the proper times any suitable means for moving" it pivotally to and fromoperative position may be employed, one such means being shown. gate may be fastened by a key 334:.(Fig. 17)

to the pin324 and a universal joint 336 (Fig.

1) is keyed to the pin to turnin unison. The universal joint 336 is connectedto a rod 338 to a second universal joint 340 keyed to an arm 342 (Fig. 12) pivotally mounted on a bracket 34% secured by screws 346to'an upright 348 fastened to the base plate. The free end of the arm 3&2 is pivotally connected by a rod'350 to a compound lever 352 pivoted at 354 (Fig. 12), said arm carrying atits other end a roll 356 held in engagement with a cam 358 (Fig. 2)

times. A block 361 heldin place on the lower end of the rod 350 by a. set screw 362 may be adjusted to determine the pressure exerted by The rod 350 is also adjustable'at the arm 342 tends to hold the arm in an'upward position and the gate in inoperative-position. I

' In the operation of the wedge gate,- the cam 358 is so timed in respect to the frame rotating mechanism that at the conclusion of the rotating movement of the frame carrying the pressing units. the gate is thrown pivotally into engagement with the curved.

track 332 on the pressing unit at thefeeding station and remains closed throughout the feeding movement. While the gate 15 closed,

any wedge blocks dislodged from the pressure exerted by the spring 333 slide down the rail 330 and drop edgewise into the magazine. Just before the frame s again rotated to bring the next pressing unit to the feeding station, the gate operating means opens the gate by turning it pivotally on the pin 32% until the oblique end of the member.

The

by a helical spring 1360 mounted on the end of the rod below the compound lever 352 which is compressed at all of the pin382 and through the shoulder v eemsee 320 engages the upper end of the magazine at which point the-'gate'stops 1 and its upper end is sufficiently clear of the projecting rail 332 to permit the pressing unit to be moved freely. The'gateis shown in closed obliqug position in Fig. 17 and in open position in Fig.20.

' 'On the rearifacesiof'the members 308 and extending downwardly to within a short distance of the bottom endof the magazine are;

two stop. springs 380, these two stop: springs being also ivotally-mounted on a cross bar 381 connecting the two upright members 308 oftheomagazine. Loosely mounted in each of the two upright members 308 is a horis:

zontal pin 382, the'rear end of which passes through a hole in the lowerend of eachof the springs near its horizontally turned end 383, that end of the pin being provided with a shoulder 384% for throwing the spring rear fz wardly when the pin is pushed rearwardly. Between the two stop springs 380 and fastened tothe cross bar .381 is a central depending guide spring 386, the lower end of which normally lies within the'wedge'block magalzine ina forward direction (Figs- 18 and 19). Pivotally mounted between the lower transverse portions of-the brackets 310 is a switch member 388 extending upwardly-and having a cut away portion 390 and provided-- with laterally extending ears 392 adapted to be engaged by transverse stops 394. onthe brackets 310. For pivotally mounting the switch member 388, a cross bar 398jconnects its lower ends'and is provided with laterallyextending ears 399 mounted in suitable recesses formed in the lower surfaces of the brackets 310, so that the switch member has a free pivotal movement on said ears.

Vhen the switch 388 is in an outward on the innerface of one of the brackets 310 and may be controlled by a cam lever L04 on the outside face of said bracket. The cam is semi-circular and so located that whenin the position shown in Fig. 18 the switch may be thrown'inwardly, one side of the cam being straight to permit the switch ear to clear it. The cam 400 being loosely mounted, it is normally held in theposition shown in Fig. 19 by gravity acting onthe cam lever to hold itin vertical position as shown in Fig. 14. To move the switch, in Fig. 18, the cam is shown in a position which will enable the switch to clear it but in that position the cam lever must be turned intotheoblique position shown in broken lines in Fig. 14. As a matter of fact, however, it is unnecessary to operate the cam lever when throwing the switch into inward position because when pushed inwardly it will engage the straight side 402 of the cam and turn it sufficiently to clear it. To return the switch to outward position, however, manipulation of the cam lever 404 is necessary and a pin 405 may be provided to facilitate its manipubition. lVith the switch in inward position and the wedge blocks for downward movement, they then fall into horizontal position between the inner wall of the magazine and the switch member as shown in broken lines in Fig. 19, the spring 386 serving to direct the thick end of the wedge blocks as they fall into engagement with the switch member when it then drops into horizontal position. The spring 386 is sufficiently light so that the weight of the blocks throw it out to permit the front end of the blocks to pass by. The bottom wedge block when stopped normally rests upon the latches or shoulders 406 formed on the plates 256 which also serve as guide rails for directing the move ment of the wedge blocks in their journey from the magazine to the feeding means.

The wedge blocks are fed from the magazine on each forward movement of the headed rack bar which pushed the heels from the conveyor, the head of the rack bar being just high enough to engage the center of the wedge block on its forward pushing movement and then pushes the wedge block out of the magazine along the guide rails 406 supporting the two ends of the wedge block so that at the end of the pushing movement of the rack bar the wedge block is supported above the breast portion of the heel in position to be pushed into the pressing unit with the heel on the upward movement of the feeding plunger.

When the machine is being started without wedge blocks in the magazine, the wedge blocks may be fed by hand into the top end of the magazine one at a time but for providing a convenient medium for automatically feeding wedge blocks to the machine until the magazine has been sufliciently filled to feed direct therefrom, a wedge block storage rack may be provided made up of two parallel rails 410 held together by suitable rods 414. Wedge blocks may be mounted fiatwise in the rack as shown in Fig. 21, the inner of the rails 410 engagingthe recesses in the end of the block to hold them thereon. A gate 412 may be pivotally mounted'on the lower rod 414, the rod being ofi'set in relation to the path of the wedge blocks so that by turning the gate outwardly into perpendicular position to the rails the wedge blocks will slide downwardly on the rails and drop ofl the end of the storage rack. The two upper ends of the rails 410 are each provided with an inwardly projecting pin 416 to enable the rack to be hung in two perforated ears 419 mounted on the outer face of the wedge block magazine (Fig. 1). When so hung, the storage rack occupies the position shown by the broken lines of its lower end in Fig. 18 and the turning of the gate 412 into open position with the switch 388 in outward position permits the wedge blocks carried by the rack to drop down until the bottom block engages the guide rails 406. Thereafter as the bottom block is fed rearwardly the column of blocks moves downwardly from the rack. This is continued until the machine has been loaded and until the magazine is filled after which the rack is removed, the switch 388 turned inwardly and the wedge blocks fed from the magazine.

The storage rack also is of advantage in unloading the pressing units. For instance, if the machine is going to be transferred from wedge shaped heels to flat heels, the rack is hung on ears 420 carried by the uprights 50 and the latch 80 and springs 88 are then pressed outwardly to permit the column of heels to drop out of the pressing unit. As the column drops out the recesses on the wedge blocks engage the rails 410. As a general rule, the entire column drops down with'the wedge blocks on the storage rack and the heels are then pressed out completing the operation of unloading a pressing unit and loading the storage rack.

My heel press may be used either alone or in connection with a heel making machine but its latter use has many advantages one of the most important of which is that the heels are pressed immediately after being assembled and while the adhesive is fresh and therefore at a time when the pressure is most efiective for producing a uniformly dense and stron product. When used alone, the heels may be supplied to the feeding means at the feeding station either by hand or from any suitable source of supply.

The operation of the heel press is simple.-

When fiat heels are being pressed in conjunction with a heel making machine or heel assembling machine the entire product of the latter machine is handled by the former. In

the foregoing description of one form of my invention, I have referred to the heels delivered by the conveyor of the heel making inachine as single heels but this is not strictly correct because some machines assemble and deliver two or more heels in heel piles. For

instance, when heels are composed of only two to four lifts, a heel making machine of the construction of my patent, hereinbefore referred to, may deliver heel piles made up of two or three or even more heels and this is accomplished by omitting'the application of adhesive on certain lifts. If the heel making machine has twelve lift supplying units, four heels of three lifts each or three heels of four lifts each or six heels of twolifts each may be included in each heel pile deli'w ered by the conveyor merely by omitting the application of adhesive to certain lifts in each pile. So far as my. heel press is concerned, the heel pile on the conveyor is treated the same whether it contains one, two, or more heels and after the pile has been pressed it will then separate into the several heels of which it is made up. It is to be understood, therefore, that each feeding operation forces a heel pile into a unit which pile may contain one or more heels dependant upon the application of the adhesive. This also applies to wedge shaped heels because the wedge blocks are designed for thick heels and will take care of a plurality of thin heels made of a smaller number of lifts. The wedge block may, however, be formed for the use to be made of them.

The heel press may be operated from any suitable source of power and onone end of the main shaft is mounted a gear wheel 500 for rotating the same. A hand wheel 502 may be fixed to the other end of said shaft for turning it over by hand when necessary. A feeding movement occurs on each complete revolution of the main shaft and the main shaft should be timed to correspond to the delivery speed of the heel making machine.

The cycle of operation is as follows. The

conveyor rotates continuously and when a heel pile on the conveyor approaches a point in line with the headed rack-bar the latter is thrown forward and pushes the heel pile off the conveyor and onto the plunger head at the feeding station the rear portion of the heel pile engaging the stops on the plunger head. If wedge shaped heels are being pressed the rack-bar head engages the lowest wedge block in tie wedge-block magazine, pushes it along the rails and over the plunger head. The rack-bar is then retracted. The plunger carrying the heel pile next moves upwardly and forces the heel pile between the latches, throwing them outwardly, into the bottom or inlet end of the pressing unit. Thisaction raises the entire column of heels in the unit and forces a heel pile out of the restricted outlet end of the unit. If a wedge block is in the line of upward movement, the heel pile carries it up with it into the press-- ing unit. The throw of the plunger should be just sufficient to push the heelpile upwardly to a point to release the latches so that they 6U. willbe forced back 'by their respective springs into locking position under the bottom of the heel pile to lock the column of heels in the unit. The plunger then moves downwardly.

On each feeding movement a heel pile emerges from the pressing unit at the feeding station and tumbles into a chute arranged therefor directing pressed heels into a' suitable receptacle, if wedge-blocks are used one isdirected into the wedge block magazine to compensate for the one fed out at the bottom of the magazine. I The wedge block gate is then thrown outwardly to release the pressin unit and the frame is rotated one step to ring the next succeeding unit to the feeding station and the gate to close the gap to the block magazine is thrown inwardly. By this time, the conveyor has moved sufiiciently to bring another heel pile into register with the headed rack-bar when the foregoing cycle of operations is repeated.

The length of time that a heel pile remains under pressure will depend upon a number of conditions such as the number and size of the units and the speed at-which the press operates but if it is operated continuously a heel pile will remain under pressure for a period oftime equal to the interval between feeding operations multiplied by the total number of heels in the press. For instance, in a press having twelve units, each holding fifty heel piles, and operating at a feeding rate of thirty heel piles per minute, each heel pile will be subjected to pressure for twenty minutes. By employing an adhesive which will set and harden within that period, the heels are turned out in a finished state so far as the pressing is concerned.

The machine of my invention has many advantages. efficiently and produces a product which is even'and uniform. It operates upon wedge shaped heels as easily as upon fiat heels and with equally good results. It is easilyadjusted to different sizes and shapes of heels and can be operated in conjunction with a heel making machine without requiring any attention for the transfer of heels from one machine to the other.

It is further to be observed that my invention effects a great savingin space for it may be embodied in a very compact machine which adds but little to the space occupied by a heel making machine and effects a large saving in labor due to its automatic operation and to the fact that it requireslittle or no supervision or attendance other than the operator of a heel making machine. The heels produced. are better and more accurate and much cheaper.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of my invention since it may be embodied in various forms of construction other than that shown without departing from the spirit thereof. 1

What I claim is 1. Ina heel'press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a. plurality of vertical heel pressing units fixed onsaid frame, reciprocating means for moving heels one at a time onto a plunger,means for reciprocating said It presses heels rapidly and plunger to force said heels into said units and means for rotating said frame to bring said units successively into register with said plunger to receive a heel.

2. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing unit-s mounted on said frame, each of said units being adapted for receiving and holding under pressure a column of heels, means for transferring one heel at a time from the conveyor of a heel making machine to a station under said fame, means for rotating said frame in a step-by-step manner to bring a unit in register with said station on each operation of said rotating means and means at said station for forcing a heel into the unit at said station.

3. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of heel pressing units vertically mounted on said frame, each of said units being adapted for receiving and holding a column of heels, means for restricting the two ends of each unit to hold the heels therein under pressure, a vertically reciprocating plunger for forcing heels one at a time into the bottom end of each of said units in sequence and means for rotating said frame to bring said units successively into register with said feeding means.

4. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted on said frame and equally spaced apart, vertically reciprocating means located at a fixed station for feeding heels into the bottoms of said units one at a time and means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner one step after each feeding movement to bring the pressing units into successive register with the feeding means; said rotating means being capable of adjustment to hold a unit at the feeding station during a succession of feeding opera tions.

5. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted on said frame, means located at a fixed station for feeding heels into the bottoms of said units, means for rotating said frame one step after each feeding movement to bring the next unit into register with the feeding means; said rotating means including a ratchet-disk provided with peripheral notches equally spaced apart, an arm pivotally mounted, a pawl carried 011 the end of said arm and adapted to engage said notches and cam operated means for oscillating said arm to advance said ratchet-disk one step at a time.

6. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of vertical pressing units mounted on the periphery of said frame and equally spaced apart, means beneath said frame for feeding heels into the bottom ends of said units one at a time, said means being located at a fixed station and cam operated means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner to bring said pressing units in sequence to said feeding station. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of vertical pressing units mounted on the periphery of said frame and equally spaced apart, means beneath said frame for feeding heels into the bottom ends of said units one at a time, said means being located at a fixed station, and cam operated means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner to bring said pressing units in sequence to said feeding station; said rotating means being so arranged as to be capable of being thrown out of operation in order to maintain said pressing units at said feeding station for a succession of feeding operations in order to permit said feeding units to be completely filled in sequence when the machine is being started in operation.

8. In a heel press, the combination of a frame for holding a plurality of vertical pressing units and means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner, said means including a ratchet-disk provided with a plurality of peripheral notches, a pawl for engaging said notches and cam operated means for moving said pawl in a forward direction one notch at a time.

9. In a heel press, the combination of a shaft rotatably mounted, a frame fastened to said shaft, a plurality of vertical pressing units carried by said frame, means located at a fixed station for feeding heels into the bottom end of one of said units at a time, a ratchet-disk fixed on said shaft and provided with a plurality of equally spaced peripheral notches corresponding in number to the number of said pressing units and means forengaging said notches to rotate said frame in a step by step manner to move said pressing units in a continuous sequence to said feeding station.

10. In a heel press, the combination of a frame for holding a plurality of vertical pressing units, means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner and cam-operated means for locking said frame in position at the end of each feeding movement, said rotating means being capable of being rendered inoperative at the will of the operator to hold said frame stationary so long as said rotating means remains inoperative without otherwise interfering with the operation of the machine.

11. In a heel press, the combination of a frame for holding a plurality of vertical pressing units, means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner and cam-operated means for centering said frame and locking it between the feeding movements, said rotating means being capable of being rendered inoperative at the will of the operator to hold said frame stationary so long as said rotating means remains inoperative without otherwise interfering with the operationv of the machine. i

12. In a heel press, the combinationnof a' frame for holding a plurality of, vertical pressing units, means for rotating said'frame in a step by step manner and a keeper-pawl for centering and locking said frame between the rotating movements.

13. In a heel press, the combination of a rotatable frame, a plurality of vertical pressing units mounted around said frame and equally spaced apart, means located at a fixed station for feeding heels into the bottom end of one of said units at a time, means for rotating said frame in, a step by step manner to bring said pressing units in sequence to said feeding station and cam-operated means for locking said frame against rotation at said feeding station.

14. In a heel press, thecombination of a frame, a plurality of heel vertical pressing units mounted on said frame and spaced equally apart, means located at a fixed station for feeding heels into the bottom end of one of said units at a time, IDEaDS 'fOI rotating said frame intermittently to bring said units in sequence to said feeding station and cam-operated means for locking said frame against rotation during the feeding movements.

15. In a heel press, the combination of a frame for holding a plurality of vertical pressing units, means for rotating said frame in a step by step manner, said means including a ratchet-disk provided with a plurality of peripheral notches, a pawl for engaging said notches, cam-operated means for moving said pawl in a forward direction one notch at a time and means for locking said frame against rotation between said rotating movements.

16. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a ratchet-disk mounted on said frame and provided with a plurality of peripheral notches, a pawl for engaging said notches, cam-operated means for moving said pawl in a. forward direction one notch at a time and a keeper-pawl for engaging said notches to lock said frame against rotation between the forward movements of said first-mentioned second pawl pivotally mounted at a fixed pointand adaptedtoengage said notches for locking said ratchet-disk between the rotating movements, I

18. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted. on said frame, means for moving said frame to bring said units successively to a feeding station, means for pushing heels from the delivery'end of a heel making machine to said feeding station and means for feeding the heels so delivered into said pressing units.

19. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted on said frame, means for moving said frame intermittently for bringing said units in sequence to a feeding station, means for pushing heels from the conveyor of a heel making machine to said feeding station and means for feeding heels into said units.

20. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted on said frame, means for rotating said frame to bring said units in succession to a fixed feeding station, reciprocating means for pushing heels from the conveyor of a heel making machine to said station and means for feeding saidheels into said units. 7 l

21. In a heel press, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertical heel pressing units mounted on said frame, means for rotat-ing said frame to bring said units in sequence to a feeding station, means for feeding wedge shaped heels from a heel making machine tosa-id station, means for feeding said wedge shaped heels into said pressing units and means for inserting a wedge block between adjacent heels on each feeding movement.

2 In a heel press, the combination of a pressing unit for holding a column of heels, means within said unit for holding said column under constant pressure, means for feeding heel piles into said unit, a wedge block magazine located adjacent said pressing unit for holding a supply of wedge blocks, means for throwing a wedge block in advance of the heel pile in order that the wedge block will be inserted in said pressing unit between adjacent heel piles and means whereby each wedge block is guided into the top of the said magazine as it emerges from the top end of said unit. v

23. In a heel press, the combination with a wedge block magazine of a pressing unit for holding a column of heels, said unit having end openings, means for feeding wedge shaped heel piles into one end of saidunit, means for inserting between said wedge piles in said unit wedge blocks for equalizing the thickness of the column of heels inthe-unit and means whereby each wedge block is guided into the top of the said magazine as it emerges from the top end of said unit. 

